Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top military planner, accused of leaking Iran war secrets, as Trump weighs fresh strikes
Pete Hegseth, whose department is pressing Iran to make nuclear concessions before any negotiations can begin.Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, whom the Pentagon has referred to the Justice Department after he allegedly failed three polygraph tests over leaks about the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars.
Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia was removed on Wednesday as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the post known as the J5 that draws up the military's war plans for the chairman and the president. A Pentagon official told CBS News he was accused of leaking classified information about the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars, failed three polygraph tests and has been referred to the Justice Department. He is the second J5 chief forced out under Hegseth in a year, and no replacement has been named.
Vice President JD Vance wrote secretly to Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei last week proposing fresh peace talks, with Trump's approval, before Trump told reporters the outreach was about medical supplies.
Iran has told Washington it will not negotiate until the US lifts its blockade of Iranian ports; Washington demands nuclear concessions first.
Trump has openly threatened to resume bombing after next Tuesday's midterms, saying 'we may do another little Epic Fury — or they'll agree.'
